Fatal blaze 'caused by faulty TV'

An inquiry was launched after a huge blaze swept through Lakanal House in Camberwell, south London, killing three adults and three children on July 3.

Police said a television which was at least 10 years old caught fire after being left plugged in on the ninth floor.

Dayana Francisquini, 26, and her children, six-year-old Thais, and Filipe, three, were among the six victims of the fire.

Helen Udoaka, 34, her three-week-old daughter Michelle and 31-year-old Catherine Hickman also died. They all lived on the 11th floor.

The inquiry involved officers from the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and the Forensic Science Service.

Detective Inspector Rick Murphy said: "Initial results have found that the cause of the fire was an electrical fault originating in a portable TV set that was at least 10 years old."

Mr Murphy said London Fire Brigade advises people to make sure all televisions are unplugged at the socket when not in use.

He added: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of those who died in the fire. The investigation continues into how the fire spread."

Local Labour MP Harriet Harman has backed calls for a public inquiry into fire safety in high-rise buildings after the blaze.